RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate has passed a bill intended to keep teenagers who willingly share sexually explicit images with one another from being branded felony sex offenders.
The Washington Post reports the bill passed Monday on a bipartisan 35-to-5 vote. It was sponsored by Republican Sen. William M. Stanley Jr. and Democratic Sen. Scott A. Surovell.
Stanley says the bill would give prosecutors the option to charge “sexting” among minors as a misdemeanor. Under current law, the sender and recipient can be charged with dissemination and possession of child pornography, a felony.
Democratic Sen. J. Chapman “Chap” Petersen says the bill is well-intentioned but could criminally charge minors for something that parents should handle.
The bill now goes to the House of Delegates for consideration.
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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com